The Portland daily press., 1887-12-20
MISSIONARY CONVENTION.
An Interesting Meeting at the Chest
nut Street Church last Night.

The meeting last night of the Missionary Con-
vention at the Chestnut Street Church was well
attended and the services were very interesting
The service opened with music by the congrega
tion, with Mrs. Goss presiding at the organ.
Reading from the Bible was followed by prayer
offered by Mrs. Humphrey, and then Mrs. Robin
son, secretary of the Home Society OF Missona-
aries, made few remarks III which she appealed
TO the women of the church to join the great work
undertaken by the missionaries Of tins coull-
try in our own and in foreign lands.
Chaplain McCabe was next introduced and he
made most eloquent speech in behalf of mis-
sions and the missionary workers. He said that
1t was thought when the Woman's Missionary
Society was formed that il would hinder the
working of the parent society," This, he said, has
not been the case; but on the other hand, the
women have greatly aided in the work. eighteen
years ago less than half million lars were
spent per year for missions now there is eleven
millions each year. The Woman's Missionary
Society is sure OF yearly income of more than
100000. We need the help of the Womans
Foreign Missionary Association and the hearts q
The people should be tuned to their work. They
say that have way of getting money for mis-
sons but don't know as have any great power
in that direction. The plan i have always FOL-
lowed is to tell the people what you did with the
money before and they always subscribe again.
/ am one of those who believe that the Methodist
church can lay down 100000 year for the
missionary work. and the only way this can be
done is by telling the people who subscribe what
is done with the; money. II the people could only
know the wonderful things that are done with
the money those who are content with giving 81
now would give SIS in the future Eighteen years
ago thirteen women met in Boston and organized
the Woman's Foreign Missionary Association
with a. very small yearly income. Today they are
getting almost half million per year." .Fs K
Rev. James Nudge, who has retired from the
Indian missionary field, was the next speaker.
After being introduced he sang two songs in Hin
doostanee much to the delight of his audience.
In opening his remarks he said 81 am very
glad of this opportunity to say few words be-
fore this society. always esteem it privilege
to say word on this subject because have seen
and know something of the work. 1t is one of
the grandest works, and when we are Indifferent
to this great cause we are Indifferent to Christ
himself. One hundred years ago there were
three missionary societies, now there are over
one hundred and fifty. III my estimation the
missionaries have done more lasting good for In
dia than all other agencies combined. No one
who has never seen it can have any idea OF the
misery and depreciation of, 1 might say, the ma
jority OF our fellow creatures. 1t is not true to-
day that widows are thrown into the Ganges to
crocodiles that they are burned on the funereal
pile. This was done away with fifty years ago.
But it is true that they exist in state of deereda-
tion almost indescribable.n
The speaker referred to some of the things
which the natives of India do to commend them
selves to their God and concluded with speaking
of some who have been great workers in the mis-
sionary field.
Caplain McCabe next introduced Mr.. Stackpole,
who will go as missionary to Rome. After brief
remarks he pronounced the benediction and the
meeting adjourned. At $50 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon missionary Conversations, conducted
by DIR. McCabe, was held at the vestry of the
Congress streest M. L. church. The work in the
missionary field was discussed In an animated
manner that was interesting to all.